Strasbourg vs Lens Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Strasbourg vs Lens on and what time does it start? Strasbourg vs Lens will take place on Friday 29th September, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Strasbourg vs Lens? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Strasbourg vs Lens on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Strasbourg vs Lens
Where can I stream Strasbourg vs Lens in the UK? If Strasbourg vs Lens is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
STRASBOURG
Over the summer, Strasbourg were the subject of a takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, essentially making a historic and storied French club a feeder to Chelsea. The positives of this obviously negative thing for football would be that Strasbourg have been able to sign players beyond their previous means with the likes of Angelo Gabriel and Abakar Sylla arriving.
They appointed former Crystal Palace and Nice manager Patrick Vieira to lead them into the season and it had been a steady, albeit underwhelming, start to the campaign. However, their 1-0 win away to newly-promoted Metz last weekend means they begin the weekend sitting in the top six as they seek to challenge for European qualification.
LENS
After a few seasons of continually rising thanks to excellent work off the pitch supported by manager Franck Haise, Lens rose all the way up to finish as runners’ up in Ligue 1 last season. They lost key players such as Seko Fofana and Lois Openda over the summer, though, and have endured a very difficult start to the 2023/24 campaign.
In their opening seven matches of the season across all competitions they have managed just one victory. That victory, though, came in their most recent outing as they came from behind and scored late on to edge past Toulouse by two goals to one. They remain down towards the bottom end of the table after six matches.
THE TEAM NEWS
STRASBOURG
Patrick Vieira will remain without four first-team players but can name an unchanged eleven from last weekend’s victory in Metz as Lens visit Stade de la Meinau.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Sels; Senaya, Nyamsi, Perrin, Delaine; Diarra, Doukoure, Deminguet; Angelo, Emegha, Bakwa
UNAVAILABLE: Sissoko (Injured), Fila (Injured), Chahiri (Illness), Bastian (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LENS
Franck Haise will be tempted to name a weakened side for this one with a clash against Arsenal coming up. They will be without Massadio Haidara among others for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Aguilar, Abdul Samed, Diouf, Frankowski; Sotoca, Thomasson; Said
UNAVAILABLE: Haidara (Injured), Costa (Injured), Cabot (Injured), Farinez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
The league table has flipped from last season with the off-field business that these two clubs did over the summer. Strasbourg will expect to improve on the pitch and Vieira has spoken of his side not quite being at it just yet, whilst Lens will be desperate to improve as they try and avoid a real crashing back to earth after last season’s heights; they do have the distraction of UEFA Champions League football in midweek as they face Arsenal. Given that will likely take priority, backing a Strasbourg win seems good value.
TIP: STRASBOURG TO WIN
